noun

1. the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, esp. of the sun when the moon comes between it and the earth (called solar eclipse), or of the moon when the earth's shadow is cast upon it (called lunar eclipse)
2. any overshadowing or cutting off of light
3. a dimming or extinction, as of fame or glory

Etymology: ME < OFr < L eclipsis < Gr ekleipsis, an abandoning, eclipse < ekleipein, to leave out, fail < ek-, out + leipein, to leave < IE base *leikw-, to leave > loan, L linquere

transitive verb eclipsed eclipsed′, eclipsing eclips′·ing

1. to cause an eclipse of; darken or obscure
2. to make seem less brilliant, famous, etc. by being even more so; overshadow; outshine; surpass

Etymology: ME eclipsen